Champions, Atletico-City 0-0. Brawl on the pitch, Guardiola in the semifinals

The evening of the Wanda Metropolitano smiles at Manchester City after a very tense challenge. Atletico changes attitude compared to the first leg, but still fails to scratch the solid English defense despite the commitment and a great recovery. The Citizens suffer for half an hour after the overwhelming power of the first 45 scored by a pole by Gundogan, then they close to defend the 0-0 which is worth the second consecutive semifinal. Brawl in the final after an entrataccia by Felipe on Foden which reduces the Spaniards to ten. The British will see it against Real Madrid.

COLCHONERA TRENCH

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Guardiola changes only one pawn compared to the initial eleven of Etihad, immediately launching that Foden who changed the challenge with his entry a week ago. Simeone does the same, choosing Lemar in place of Vrsaljko and thus freeing Llorente at full range on the right, with Griezmann-Felix attacking couple. Beyond the slight changes, the script does not vary much compared to the first leg except for the first 10 ‘, those in which Atletico sketches the high pressing and tries to look out from Ederson’s parts. But it does not last long, just the time necessary for the City to take the measures to the Spaniards and start weaving the usual web of passes in search of an opening in the opponent’s defense. From 20 ‘onwards, City’s push becomes more insistent and the Colhoneros find themselves defending ten behind the ball line, with only Joao Felix in front waiting for the right restart.

OVERTURNED SCRIPT

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A restart that in the first 45 ‘takes place only once, the one ended with an unrealistic left by Kondogbia, easy prey for Ederson. The British, on the other hand, tried eight times, hitting the post in the 29th minute on a close left foot from Gundogan at the end of an in-depth Mahrez embroidery for Walker. The Cholo gang, however, tries to change gears around 50 ‘to overturn the 1-0 of the first leg and the effective push on the Lodi-Lemar axis gives some interesting opportunities, first with Lemar (left rejected by Rodri) then with Griezmann (left from the edge to the side of a breath). The City feels the blow, loses ground and even struggles to keep the ball in front of the high pressure of the Spaniards, who thus take the reins of the game in hand. De Bruyne’s uninspired evening further complicates Guardiola’s plans, who in the middle of the second half throws Sterling into the fray in search of greater speed and dynamism. The Cholo responds with De Paul, Correa and Carrasco for Lodi, Griezmann and Koke, with the result of further increasing the pressure close to the opposing area. The inclusion of Fernandinho is also of little use, because Atletico’s thrust becomes pounding especially on the lanes. Yet, there are no big occasions. Atletico managed to keep the challenge in balance until the end, but without creating too many dangers for Ederson.

FINAL AGITATED

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Simeone tries them all and for the latest attacks he also focuses on Suarez. But faced with the wasted time of the English, nerves jump and Felipe earns a well-deserved red for a hard entry on Foden (already warned in the first half with an elbow). The Wanda Metropolitano becomes a bedlam while the Colhoneros pour forward with their heads down. The last occasions, between 98 ‘and 102’, are a free kick from Carrasco smanacciata by Ederson and a dirty right foot from Correa, then Guardiola’s troops can celebrate after a period of unusual suffering. For Cholo and Atletico, on the other hand, the pride remains at least for having tried it by exhibiting a football that is anything but prehistoric.